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Conscientious objection in Bulgaria - a survey

01 août 2005 — warresisters

At a seminar in Plovdiv in Bulgaria, organised by Youth Society for Peace and Development on the Balkans (YSPDB) on behalf of EBCO, YSPDB presented a survey on the situation regarding conscientious objection in Bulgaria. The survey had been done in 2004, and the total sample was 1265 interviewees. Here we present some of the results:

1. Do you know about the possibility to substitute military service with an alternative service, according to Bulgarian legislation and European standards?

Answer

% of respondents

No

44.7

Yes

36.2

Subtotal

80.9

No response

19.1

Total

100.0

2. Would you substitute your military service with an alternative service?

Answer

% of respondents

No

31.1

Yes

30.4

Subtotal

61.4

No response

38.6

Total

100.0

Why would you not substitute your military service?

Answer

% of respondents

Military service is the civil duty of every Bulgarian citizen

44.2

I will acquire special kills and knowledge during military service

20.5

I will grow up and become a man

18.8

My family and friends are against it

5.9

Other

16.5

How long should the alternative service be?

Answer

% of respondents

As long as military service

21.6

Twice as long as military service

17.6

Other

15.4

Subtotal

54.6

No response

45.4

Total

100.0

The survey clearly showed a lack of knowledge about the situation regarding the right to conscientious objection in Bulgaria. This is emphasized also by the low number of objectors: According to official data, only 66 applications for conscientious objection had been made in 2003/2004, of which 60 had been accepted. 23 conscientious objectors were serving their alternative service at 11 service places.

Source: Conscientious objection as a tool for a European Consciousness. Youth Society for Peace and Development on the Balkans. Presentation at the seminar of the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 17-19 June 2005.